Poll re: Armed EMS at Journal of EMS website

This is a discussion on Poll re: Armed EMS at Journal of EMS website within the General Firearm Discussion forums, part of the Related Topics category; http://www.jems.com/poll/2010/should...ders-carry-wea
Sure, as long as they have a valid permit.
16% (3 votes)
Yes, but only if they have a valid permit and have gone ...

Poll re: Armed EMS at Journal of EMS website

Sure, as long as they have a valid permit.
16% (3 votes)
Yes, but only if they have a valid permit and have gone through agency-approved training.
53% (10 votes)
No, I donít think EMS providers should ever carry a weapon.
32% (6 votes)

Are you aware of any EMS organizations that currently allow the responders to carry?

My company does not allow me to carry while on duty. No restriction on my CCW permit from the sheriff, but just company policy.
I know of at least one Fire Dept that I deal with that allows CCW permit holders to carry on duty.

I voted "Yes" with agency approved training.
Like it or not, the agency will be assuming a HUGE liability risk, and that factored in to my vote. I think the idea warrants consideration, but within certain parameters.

Sure, as long as they have a valid permit. = 35% (19 votes)
Yes, but only if they have a valid permit and have gone through agency-approved training. = 50% (27 votes)
No, I donít think EMS providers should ever carry a weapon. = 15% (8 votes)
Total votes: 54

I voted "Yes, as long as they have a permit". I believe it is their right.

Agency liability is a seperate issue. As a private business owner, it's something that I live with. If you train your employees on firearms and encourage them to carry, you take on complete liablity. I have sub-contractors that work for me (no employees). They may carry or they may not. I have no idea, nor any control over that. They all sign "hold harmless" agreements, which is better than nothing, but it still doesn't guaruntee anything. The bottom line is that if there is a self-defense shooting, there will likely be a lawsuit. I don't know what you can do to avoid that, but it's much better than the alternative.

Sure, as long as they have a valid permit. = 39% (24 votes)
Yes, but only if they have a valid permit and have gone through agency-approved training. = 48% (30 votes)
No, I don’t think EMS providers should ever carry a weapon. = 13% (8 votes)

I replied yes as long as they hold a permit. I have had shots fired at me twice in my 10 year career. The first time was at 2am when we responded to an unknown medical aid in an alley behind a bar. We were first onscene and PD was not responding since it came out as a medical aid. When we walked up to him half way down the alley we found he had been shot several times. About 20 seconds later a blacked out car pulled up the other side of the alley and fired 3 shots at us then took off. The second time we were in a house in Inglewood on a private call for an elderly lady who wanted a ride to the hospital. While we were in her living room we heard automatic gunfire and several rounds came thru the house we were in. We radioed dispatch who told us the just got a call for a drive by at the address directly behind us. Afterward we were told by the local PD that they found 50 AK47 casings and 10 9mm casings on the scene. So yeah, I vote yes.

I'd have serious concerned about retention while providing patient care. There were certainly times in my career I'd have been happy to be armed, but I think there are a lot of potential downsides to EMS providers carrying that don't apply to normal civilian carry.